PILSLEY COME BACK TWICE AND RETAIN UNBEATEN START

PILSLEY COMMUNITY 2 DOVE HOLES RES 2

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE DIVISION A AT RUPERT STREET

24 SEPTEMBER 2022 --- 2PM

PILSLEY CAPTAIN RHYS WALLHEAD ON THE BALL VERSUS DOVE HOLES

Pilsley Community twice came back from behind with wonderful strikes to secure a more than deserved point that maintains their unbeaten start to the new seasons Hope Valley League Division A campaign.  

Its Saturday so It must be Pilsley and at last I dragged myself screaming and kicking into the 2022/23 football season and where better than a village that has provided much sporting entertainment over the last few years for me.

There was a autumnal feel to the day with a stiff breeze always a threat on the 'ridge' at Rupert Street so to that effect the winter jacket was out early, mind you by the first climb on this 3 mile walk the central heating was on full within the bounds of the padded apparel.

This season would see the loss of local sides New Tupton Ivanhoes and Tibshelf so its a thankful heart that sees Pilsley start the season in the now two division Hope Valley Football League.  With Ashover making the switch to The Midland Regional Alliance and having to start in the second tier there will be a variety of clubs to check out over the next few months.  

PILSLEY COMMUNITY TEAM LINE UP IN #TEAM JACK KIT FOR 2022/23

The day started on a sad but poignant tone with a new season team line up featuring the away kit bearing the sponsor of '#TEAM JACK'.  Jack Faulkner was 15 years old when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in early 2018 and within a very short few months he had passed away.  Today Jack's dad was in attendance to hand over the new away strip and thankfully had time to catch up with us before the game started.  He explained that while Jack was in Sheffield Children's Hospital receiving treatment he came up with many ideas and even set his dad the challenge of completing an Ironman Challenge, something his achieved this year in Majorca.  But 'Team Jack' has now completed many fund raising events which has seen over £150,000 donated to the good causes of Sheffield Children's Hospital Ward 5 and Young Lives Versus Cancer to support families.  

Pilsley were very clearly proud to represent the charity on their shirts and it was humbling experience for all to realise the unbelievable strength of people you can only but have admiration for.

PILSLEY CLEARANCE IN THE FIRST HALF

Pilsley started the game at a nice pace but it would be the High Peak visitors who took the lead after 25 minutes the home side failed to clear a left wing corner and Connor Golden was accredited with the finish.  A disappointing goal to concede for Pilsley but after watching them for a little while now they never give up and so it proved when the levelled with a wonderful 25 yard strike from Bradley Haggins that hit the top left hand corner of the net shortly before the half time whistle.  

SHANE MARRIOTT CLOSE UP ACTION

Pilsley started the second half in the ascendancy with Matt Parnham hitting the bar from 25 yards and then moments later Shane Marriott hit more or less the same spot on the woodwork with a 35 yard free kick.  From somewhere though Dove mounted a challenge and the sucker punch arrived from the blindside with just over ten minutes remaining Lewis Betts hit a sharp cross goal shot into the far corner of the Pilsley goal.  

DR MIKE DOUGLASS IN CONSULTATION

Pilsley could either roll over now or attempt the comeback for the second time and so it turned out when a corner off the left was cleared straight out to Parnham who lashed an unstoppable 25 yard effort into the visitors goal, after 83 minutes.  Community went all out for the winner and the ever dangerous home captain Rhys Wallhead weaved his way goal wards passing two Dove players from the half way line before Ian Bell the visitors custodian flew out to block his goal bound effort.  In the end Pilsley had to settle for the draw but after going behind again late in the game this was better than a defeat which would have been so undeserved.

As ever good to catch up with Pilsley and Dove Holes where a visit to the Hallsteads is still on the to do list.

BRADLEY HAGGINS RECEIVES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS GOAL

Pilsley remain unbeaten and sit nicely in fifth place behind todays visitors who are a place ahead but also on five points.  Next week they travel just over the Chesterfield boundaries to Dronfield Woodhouse in search of their second win of this current season.

PILSLEY LAUNCH A CROSS INTO THE DOVE HOLES BOX

Nice to be back at the football although missing the afternoon at the cricket and this football mularkey it was all over so quickly ninety minutes is that it?

RHYS WALLHEAD STARTS THE CLOSING MINUTES RUN ON GOAL

CAPTAIN BOWERS LANDS THE VICTORY

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 182 FOR 5 RIDDINGS 2'S 136 ALL OUT

DCCL DIVISION 7 NORTH AT RUPERT ST

17 SEPTEMBER 2022 --- 1PM

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC BOWERS IN PILSLEY V RIDDINGS

A match winning performance from Pilsley captain Tristan Bowers with a quick fire innings and 5 for 39 with the ball got them over the line to 27 points against a Riddings side who were threatening to race away with the game at 67 for one in the tenth over chasing a target of 183 at Rupert Street.  Once again James Aldis [46] would provide a vital contribution alongside 3 for 33 with his bowling.

JAMES ALDIS TOP SCORES FOR PILSLEY

Last week in the blog a heavy dose of melancholy was probably enough but today that feeling was there again and much as I journey up to Pilsley for football as well there was a collection of thoughts about the end of the cricket season when I was a young un transferring to today as well.  This time though there will be no listening to Radio 4 long wave for the cricket during the winter months and somewhere soon football will take over again, after an extended cricket season that as I have continued to enjoy as  probably gone the furthest into the football season for many a year.  So its with a heavy heart that today would be the last Saturday of the cricket season with an added bonus of Pilsley needing a maximum 27 points to stand a chance of second place and promotion to a league they fell out of last season even though they finished one place above the relegation zone, but due to league re alignment they lost their spot.  It has to be a day in their favour with Duffield 3's needing maximum to deny them the spot in a tight top of the table made all the more so by Pilsley's defeat at Duffield last week by just one wicket.

MID WICKET MEETING FOR JACK CARTWRIGHT AND GRAHAM TURNER

So in reverse order this week here is the action with Pilsley in search of those maximum points they looked on rocky ground as Riddings chased down the target of 183 and reached 67/1 after ten overs and victory looked a long way off.  But an inspired performance with the ball from captain Bowers, who had earlier contributed a quick fire thirty two with the bat, proved to be the visitors undoing.  Looking comfortable Riddings collapsed to 68/5 with Aldis starting the downfall with the second wicket but it would be Bowers who added Robert Robbins [30], Ewan Smith and Finlay West for ducks to his opening over wicket of Josh Bacon who also failed to score and when he bowled Adrian Head [10] the visitors were 90/6 and the Pilsley captain had bagged a remarkable 'fifer'.

TURNER HITS OUT BEFORE RETIRING INJURED

At the half way stage Riddings were well up with the run rate at 103/6 but they could not hold onto their wickets as Steve Wood swept up two late victims including the resilient Neil Glover [23].

Bowers returned 5 for 39, Aldis 3 for 33 and it was 2 for 18 for Wood.

ITS GONE HIGH

Earlier in the afternoon it had been slow going for Pilsley as it proved difficult to get the ball away and some tight early bowling also limited the runs.  It was Aldis [46] who get the scoreboard moving along with Graham Turner [30*] who had to retire hurt when he took a ball into his face causing a nasty cut above the left eye.  It left captain Bowers to play a decisive innings that alongside a cameo from Shaun Fisher [20*] and they would get Pilsley up to 182 and eventual victory by 46 runs to secure the 27 points.

GREAT AFTERNOON WITH THE BALL FOR THE PILSLEY CAPTAIN

Sadly Duffield would secure their 27 points and with Staveley Welfare also obtaining 27 points from a Bakewell forfeit it left Pilsley in third place and just five points adrift, hoping maybe the league may realign and this time take them back up for next season.  Last weeks tight game at Duffield made it hard for Pilsley had they have snatched victory or in any of those 4 early season games taken the final opposition wicket that resulted in winning draws of course it would all look very different now.  

It is also rather hard to see Staveley having four fixtures forfeited to them and securing maximum points without playing whereas Pilsley had nobody cry off against themselves.

FIFER FOR BOWERS AS HE BOWLS ADRIAN HEAD

Oh well now is not the time to worry as its been a very enjoyable season watching on 'the ridge' in a dry summer that has only seen a few minutes lost to showers all season.  Its been a pleasure visiting and hopefully next season can just be as exciting.

But for now to use the football quote in relation to the 2022 cricket season 'they think its all over, it is now'

GARETH HATTON SENSES A CLOSE CALL

DEVASTATING DONALDSON DOMINANT FOR GRASSMOOR

GRASSMOOR WORKS 197 FOR 5 FARNSFIELD 2'S 196 ALL OUT

THE BASSETLAW AND DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT BARNES PARK

10 SEPTEMBER 2022 --- 1PM

JOHN DONALDSON IN DEVASTATING FORM IN GRASSMOOR V FARNSFIELD

Grassmoor were looking edgy as they fell to 40/3 against visitors Farnsfield 2's but when John Donaldson [94] joined captain Adam Bedford little did we know that a truly devastating performance from the all rounder would drive the home side onto victory with hitting that has not been witnessed in Barnes Park for a while.  A partnership of 156 would allow Bedford to pass his half century and the target of 197 reached with just over ten overs to spare.

GRASSMOOR WORKS CC LINE UP VERSUS FARNSFIELD CC

Penultimate Saturday of the cricket season then for Grassmoor and me and there was a strange feeling of melancholy not witnessed since my teen days of junior membership of Derbyshire CCC.  Those days of Eddie Barlow, John Wright and Peter Kirsten were generally spent in Queens Park Chesterfield absorbing as many days of cricket during the school summer holidays and even occasional after tea sessions when school was over.  My melancholy would remind me of queuing for Geoff Boycott's autograph and even carrying his bags to his car while asking him to obtain Arnie Sidebottoms autograph the final one I needed to complete the Yorkshire side on the collectable mini cricket bats of the day you see.  The wooden staging type of seating and then when I joined the wooden slatted park seats in the pavilion would bring a close attachment to the sport for teenagers of that era supported by the large groups seeking or chasing their required cricketer for that missing signature.  Sad to say on recent visits to Derby this seems to have largely disappeared and scrap books and autograph hunting is now the 50 and 60 year olds remit, of course they are the teenagers of my days who have continued their pursuit.

At the end of the season before I developed an extended interest in football it was always a sad time for this young un and the close season seemed so long compared to the football season left with just the solace of lifting an ear to Radio 4 long wave during the night for The Ashes tests out in Australia.

Over the last few seasons through The Huddersfield League, ticking some beautiful grounds off, and many more local that feeling of sadness at a season ending as increased and non more so than this season a time so enjoyed mainly with Grassmoor Works CC and Pilsley and Clay Cross CC.  On the plus side all cricket fans have to be thankful for probably one of the best seasons for ages weather wise with very little play lost to the wet stuff.

IAN BRADLEY AND ADAM BEDFORD PERFORM THE NEW MORRIS DANCE ROUTINE ACTUALLY ITS THE WONDERFUL BEDFORD CATCH OFF HIS BOWLING THAT BRADLEY IS PLEASED ABOUT,.

Reminisce over and onto today which started on a moment of paying respect to Queen Elizabeth ll and here Grassmoor made a noteworthy effort with club secretary Alan Woolven gathering the players before the start of play with a small address before both teams and supporters observed a minute silence followed by the playing of the National Anthem.  The lovely Queens Platinum Jubilee seat was brought out to add a nice touch as both Grassmoor and Farnsfield made a respectful observance with both sides wore black armbands throughout the game.

Credit here to cricket, rugby union and rugby league who opted to allow their sporting communities to come together for this moment while disappointingly football seemed to get the mood wrong by cancelling all games.

THOMAS DUNNING TOP SCORER FOR FARNSFIELD

To the proceedings then and Farnsfield went away like a train reaching 101 before their second wicket fell.  There was a half century from Thomas Dunning [53] and a supportive opening roll from Joseph West [36].  West was first out off the bowling of Bradley a wonderful catch by the chasing Bedford who took the catch over his shoulder with Donaldson bowling Michael Hall taking the second wicket.  By the half way stage the visitors had reached 117 for 2 and looked on for a large total, even when Mathew Payton was caught by Malc Jelley off the bowling of Rhys Evans the score had reached 145.

JOHN DONALDSON WITH IAN DONALDSON STANDING AT THE PAVILION END

However Farnsfield would now lose their remaining seven wickets for 51 runs as Evans added three more finishing with 4 for 36 and in tandem with Bedford 3 for 32 they even denied the visitors a moral gaining score of over 200 from what had looked such a dangerous position.  There had been some sharp catching this afternoon non more so than Bedford's second grab this time to his left off his own bowling to dismiss captain Alex West [4] and Evans who took a beauty off Bedford to send back the dangerous Dunning.

FOUR WICKETS FOR RHYS EVANS

Yes the tea break was taken up doing a quick tour of the nearby country park and back in time to see Carl Bowling and Andy Woolven taking to the field to start the reply.

The runs came fairly quickly but on the down side so did the wickets as the home side reached 40/3 after seven overs so the run rate was there and that was more than thanks to Woolven [29] off 14 balls but he was out to a superb diving catch from Devon Brocklehurst off the bowling of Jack Richardson, a superb hold at the pace the Grassmoor opener had leathered the delivery.  

A WELL OPERATED SCOREBOARD BY BOTH SIDES TODAY

This brought all rounder Donaldson to the crease and he joined Bedford [53] who would take a slightly quieter role that normal but with Donaldson in the mood he was to show it was hardly surprising.  The ball was destined to find most parts of the ground as the Grassmoor number five unleashed one of the most powerful displays of hitting Barnes Park will have seem for a while, it was certainly the most exciting I had witnessed this season and included 18 fours and innings that took just 67 balls sums up what we had witnessed.

AN ALERT JOHN DONALDSON

As the scores were tied and in a melancholy [the word of today's blog] way the late summer shadows were lengthening across the outfield as Donaldson needed a maximum to take his score to what would have been a deserved century, in true fashion he went for it.  The first attempt took him to his knees and as he strode down the wicket the next ball bypassed him and wicket keeper Dunning whipped off the bails.  But we had witnessed a wonderful hour or so to warm us into the winter months.

Captain Bedford would agonisingly fall also trying to go out with a big hit bowled by Alex West before David Spendlove came in to stroke the required single to secure 20 points for the Works.

A thoroughly enthralling game thanks to both sides for a game played in good spirit.

Thanks Grassmoor a very enjoyable time with you in the 2022 season.

ADAM BEDFORD AND JOHN DONALDSON 156 STAND TO GET GRASSMOOR HOME

BIG HITTING TURNER IN A RUSH AS PILSLEY STAY TOP

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 152 FOR 2 BAKEWELL 150 ALL OUT

DCCL DIVISION SEVEN NORTH AT RUPERT ST

3 SEPTEMBER 2022 --- 1PM 

GRAHAM TURNER 68* IN VICTORY FOR PILSLEY V BAKEWELL

A commanding innings from Pilsley and Clay Cross's Graham Turner saw them race over the line to victory by eight wickets with just 24  of their overs used.  The victory and resulting 27 points keeps the Rupert St side top of the DCCL Division 7 North table but with just ten points separating the top four who all player one another next weekend Pilsley for now sit in the driving seat.

KYLE BUTTERWORTH OPENS THE BOWLING WITH BOWERS FOR PILSLEY

Including this weekend there are just three games to go for both of my 'adopted' clubs this season and every time I look at a change of sport I further delay the start of the football so much have I enjoyed the cricket this season backed up of course by great weather that so far as not seen a curtailed or non starting fixture and the welcome from both clubs too.

Today is a clash of cultures game with the tough old streets of Pilsley and Clay Cross taking on the sophisticated peak district town of Bakewell, this was non more so backed up at the tea interval when the obligatory pit canteen walk had me smiling at a local moped rider belting round the streets in a crash helmet topped of by a Pikachu covering, now you wouldn't get that in Bakewell just a few tasty puddings maybe.  

Joking aside the cricket today as most Saturday's was played in a very friendly and hospitable nature and the Bakewell lads take their share of credit for that too.

MARTIN JACKSON EDGES BOWERS TO IAN KNOWLES

With an early start of 1pm to be aware of today it was a twenty minute earlier start on the climb to the borders of Lower Pilsley to the villages sports ground.  The forecast had been for rain showers but this seemed to change to a dry afternoon and bar from a little light in the air rain the afternoon would pass again without weather related incident.  

CAPATAIN TRISTAN BOWERS RECEIVES WICKET TAKING CONGRATULATIONS AS HE TAKES FOUR TODAY

It was Bakewell who won the toss and elected to have a bat, it always amazes me how cricket has changed in that a lovely setting in towns like todays visitors and Buxton are languishing in the lower reaches of the county league but credit to the current incumbents for protecting the club by continuing the long tradition.

FOUR WICKETS FOR GARETH HATTON

The visitors got off to a fairly pacey start but lost their first wicket at 41 that being Jacob Madin [13] who was lbw to captain Tristan Bowers the first of his four wickets.  New batsman Martin Jackson survived a big shout for lbw from the next ball but Bowers had him caught behind by Ian Knowles on the delivery after.  Bowers continued in sparking form removing the top four of the visitors line up and even though there was brief respite from Jeff Madin [29] and David Creamer [25] they would fall to Gareth Hatton and Bradley Garfoot respectively.  Hatton took the first of his four wicket in that little sequence and he wrapped up the Bakewell innings with the third ball in over number 35 when Steve Swift was caught by Garfoot for a duck.

Bowers finished with 4 for 30 and Hatton 4 for 34 as Pilsley needed 151 to win.

SEPTEMBER SKIES BECOMING LESS BLUE

The obligatory walk seemed to take no longer than normal but as soon as the return was made Bakewell were eagerly out in the middle awaiting the arrival of the Pilsley opening batsman Ian Knowles and Jack Warsop.

BRADLEY GARFOOT FROM THE VILLAGE END OR BUILDING SITE END

They got off to a confident start before Warsop[20] was deceived by a slower delivery from Richard Reed and the bails were dislodged.  Tom Hewiit[13] replaced him but fell with the score on 65 to a catch by Craig Dawson off a wide full toss from Gopal Oliver bowling in Geoff Boycott reverse cap mode, style.

GARFOOT RECEIVES CONGRATULATIONS FOR HIS WICKET FROM GARETH HATTON

Enter Graham Turner who anybody of my age can only ever think of as the former long serving Shrewsbury Town manager followed of course by spells in charge at Wolves and Aston Villa, anyway this Graham is no less commanding.  Turner [68*] is in some fine big hitting form and came in with his mindset of not to just cruise over the line but smash the ball over the line and to all parts of the ground, it really was a swashbuckling innings that saw Pilsley race to their target.  The glue in the chase holding it all together was a secure knock from wicket keeper Knowles [41*].

QUICK FIRE 20 FROM BIG HTTING OPENER JACK WARSOP TODAY

Pilsley are in a fine seam of form at the moment and for the sake of cricket the weather needs to hold for the challenging clubs to secure their end positions by their endeavours on the field of play.  

As ever a pleasure to attend a Pilsley game and for now the cricket continues well into the first few weeks of the football season.

GRAHAM TURNER GETS ONE AWAY THROUGH THE COVERS